SOCAR Fiber and TurkNet have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen Türkiye’s internet infrastructure and provide uninterrupted and secure network connectivity.
As part of this strategic partnership, the 1,850-kilometer SOCAR Fiber express route, which runs along the TANAP natural gas pipeline from the Georgian border to the Greek border, will be integrated into TurkNet’s backbone network and will pass near key cities such as Bursa, Eskişehir, Ankara, Sivas, Erzurum, and Kars. The fiber optic cable is buried on both sides of the TANAP pipeline, providing redundancy and high reliability along the full route. With this investment, TurkNet will expand its FTTH (Fiber to the Home) infrastructure to more cities, offering high-speed, low-latency, and robust connectivity to a wider user base.
Kanan Mammadov, General Manager of SOCAR Fiber: “The fiber infrastructure along the TANAP corridor, which serves as a strategic backbone in Türkiye’s digitalization journey, acts as a bridge that connects countries not only for energy but also for data transmission. This partnership with TurkNet will elevate Türkiye’s internet infrastructure with a secure and high-capacity connection spanning from east to west. We are proud to contribute to the growth of the digital economy by enhancing both national and international access capacities.”
Cem Çelebiler, CEO of TurkNet: “We will be strengthening Türkiye’s internet backbone, and we will also be increasing and diversifying our country’s international connectivity.”
Cem Çelebiler stated: “As TurkNet, we are committed to continuously investing in delivering fast and reliable internet across Türkiye. Through this strategic partnership with SOCAR Fiber, we are deploying a next-generation fiber network that connects Türkiye from east to west as a seamless whole. This project will not only strengthen the country’s internet backbone but also enhance international connectivity and diversity. Our goal is to provide faster, more reliable, and more accessible internet for everyone.”
Extending Fiber Connections from Türkiye to Neighboring Countries
TurkNet currently operates metro fiber networks in more than 25 cities and provides services to Türkiye’s major data centers. Through this partnership with SOCAR Fiber, these data centers will benefit from both intercity and international low-latency connections.
By integrating its existing infrastructure with SOCAR Fiber’s route, TurkNet will offer cross-border connectivity extending to Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, and Iraq. Together with partners in Iraq, Turknet will provide a terrestrial alternative to the red-sea route connecting the Gulf region and beyond to Europe. The network also extends to Izmir and the Aegan coast allowing for any potential subsea cables landing in this area to interconnect for onward connectivity.
SOCAR Fiber: Reliable Network Connectivity
As a subsidiary of SOCAR Türkiye, Türkiye’s largest international investor and integrated industrial group, SOCAR Fiber continues to leverage the global potential of the telecommunications sector by providing backbone network services to operators for electronic communications and high-speed internet. Through its 1,850-kilometer fiber optic infrastructure along the TANAP Natural Gas Pipeline, SOCAR Fiber offers secure electronic communication services. This fiber optic route, crosses Türkiye from east to west passing through 20 provinces and 67 districts.
TurkNet’s Next-Generation Fiber Vision
Turknet is at its core an internet service provider and IP Carrier, and the fiber network it has built and is building is designed around the modern needs of internet connectivity: direct routes, low latency, diversity & reliability, and strong connectivity into data centers. This infrastructure provides strong access to data centers and content providers and offers a high-performance, innovative alternative to Türkiye’s connectivity ecosystem with its streamlined, digital-first, and customer-centric approach.
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